The Art of Puttering

Several years ago I wrote an article entitled, "Learning to Putz." The magaine that published it, Texas Co-op, changed the title to "Learning to Putter" because the word putz, while it does mean putter in Yiddish, also has negative sexual connotations. At the time I wrote about how I was trying to learn to putz/putter. Today I discovered I still haven't learned it. Even in retirement, I wake up with a list in my mind of things that need to be done that day and then I hurry to get them done. Granted, one reason I hurry is so I can do the things I want, like go to lunch with a friend, take a nap, read a book. But today I got up at 7:30 or shortly thereafter--by the time I'd done my free writing, had breakfast, read emails and the paper, and done my yoga, it was 9:30. Yoga was where I first noticed my hurry. I often look at the clock when I begin, so I can get some idea of how long I'm working out--sometimes I think the meditation part consumes a large portionof the time, greater than the workout. This morning I was surprised at how fast I was moving through the exercises--and I could hear Elizabeth's voice saying, "Slow down." The phone rang just as I started the meditation/relaxation part, and when I went to answer it I glanced at the clock--22 minutes for what should take 30-40 minutes. Rushing through the day, when I didn't really have that much to do. I decided I'd talk to the Lord later and started laying out things for happy hour guests tonight and making Southwestern Tuna Salad--a wonderful recipe that mixes tuna, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, lime peel and juice. The phone rang in the middle of that--someone who really wanted to talk, and I had to beg off. Got it all done, shampooed my hair, put on make-up and was dressed by eleven (my gosh, how did I ever get to work at 8 a.m.?)
My lunch date came by early, but I was ready. We went to Ellerbe's, a place I really like, and I ordered the Green Goddess salad (they spelled it Godess and we pointed out the error of their ways). All of a sudden I realized I was racing through that salad because it was so good. I just gobbled it down like I hadn't eaten in forever.
Tonight three friends came for wine, cheese and the tuna. We had a delightful visit--it finally turned out to be porch weather, with the sun shining, though it is a bit humid. I tried not to rush through the appetizers, but darn! that tuna really is good. My guests left after almost two hours, and I fixed myself dinner--the rest of the tuna, a bit of leftover potatoes, a bit of leftover spinach--and realized because it all tasted so good, I was once again gobbling my food.
Several years ago I went to a banquet--I can't remember the occasion--but my ex-husband's former partner and his wife took me. I was seated at a different table, but Russ walked by, looked at me, and said, "The trouble with you is that you ate with Joel Alter too long." I realized I had cleaned my plate when the other folks at the table were about halfway through.
Okay, resolution: I am going to move more slowly. Trouble is I already have a list for tomorrow--vet for animal food, grocery, office for mail and to do a bit of work, then work at home, nap, exercise, and dinner at 6 p.m. with Betty. Then pack to spend the next night with friends in Granbury. It's already weighing on my mind how I can fit it all in. The answer of course is that I need to shorten the nap or worktime or one of my electives and not worry about it--I always end up with time left over. I really am going to work on slowing down. Trust me.
I may have given this recipe before on this blog, but here's the Southwestern tuna salad (it's in Cooking My Way through Life with Kids and Books):

Southwestern tuna
I use this as a dip, served either with crackers or tortilla chips (the good strong kind), but I long ago lost the recipe, so I kind of recreate it each time.
7½-oz. can albacore tuna
Juice of 1 lime (a good juicy one)
1 tsp. grated lime peel
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
¼ c. chopped red onion
Pinch of cumin
Pinch of chili powder
Mayonnaise to bind - start with just a bit so you don't get it soupy
1/2 can chopped chilies (Use your own judgment about canned chilies or a chopped jalapeño—I like the canned.)

Getting the Big Head

After a "photo shoot" Tuesday, today I made southwestern tuna salad this morning for a video for the TCU alumni magazine and online program. I had originally said I'd make Colin's queso, but it has 1 lb. hamburger, 1 lb. sausage, 1 lb. Velveeta, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 1 jar picante sauce. Delicious, but my goodness look at all those calories. So I switched to the tuna, which is a great variation on standard tuna. Here's the recipe:

7-1/2 oz. can albacore tuna in water
Juice of one good, juicy lime
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. capers
1/4 c. chopped celery
1.4 c. chopped red onion
pinch of cumin (I used more)
either canned chopped chillies (1 can) or a jalopeno (I much prefer the canned chillies)
Mayonnaise to bind (but don't make it soupy)

The recipe is in Cooking My Way through Life with Kids and Books.

I was very much like Martha Stewart--had the cilantro, celery, and onion cut up ahead of time and all the ingredients out on the counter. When it's online, I'll be sure to post a link here. Later it dawned on me that I'd worn my Med-Alert medallion the whole time. I think the segment should be titled "Old Lady Cooks!"
Then Melinda came at lunchtime to install Microsoft Office 2007 and Filemaker so I can do my TCU work from home. We had tuna, fresh tomato (from her garden--there is no beating the taste of fresh garden tomatoes!), and hearts of palm for lunch. And it was such a lovely cool day we ate on the porch. She had to uninstall my old Microsoft program to install the new one, and while she and the tech person at TCU were laughing over the phone I was worrying about my files--but they all made it intact. Installing Filemaker was much easier and quicker.
Tonight Betty and I went to Winslow's, a fashionable and crowded wine bar--we had salmon cakes with gorgonzola remoulade and grape tomato salad--delicious! A lovely pleasant evening, so it's been another good retirement day.
My email has been down for hours--most frustrating!